What's up with the litter?

[JustUs2]

With the government being shut down, local citizens in my area are gathering trash in order to keep the bears, coyotes, skunks, and other wildlife at bay.  The scent of food and other trash will bring them close to people and pets which we all want to avoid.  My husband and I were happy to volunteer - but my goodness, why are people littering like that?  When the garbage can is full, don't keep throwing your rubbish down nearby.  Gather your trash and take it with you.  It wasn't just near the garbage cans and restrooms either.  Rubbish was literally strewn about in the woods.  I cut up eight of those plastic rings that come on a six-pack of cola.  Birds and squirrels get their necks trapped in them.  I found fast food wrappers and dirty diapers.  What is wrong with people?  When did littering become an okay thing to do?  I always thought it was taboo.

[CountryMom]

It's incredible what people will do when left to their own devices. Not exactly the same as your example, but many years ago I lived in an apartment building that had a communal garbage chute. People would leave their garbage sitting beside the chute all the time. I was stunned. How lazy can you get? I ended up putting up a sign telling people to throw away their own garbage  .

[Katy]

I wonder if it's a generational thing?

I was always taught that littering is wrong. If you don't see a trash can, carry your trash with you until you can dispose of it in a proper place.

Thank you for helping clean up! That's really kind of you. Thank you for thinking of the birds, too. Those plastic rings are so dangerous to our animal friends!

[MaryB]

It is a problem when people do not want to take responsibility for themselves. 
That's great you are helping out!!!!   

[JustUs2]

Katy, I wondered whether it was a  generational thing too.  If someone littered a few years ago, I know whoever saw them would likely kick up a fuss.  People used to get fined for littering too.

Not exactly the same as your example, but many years ago I lived in an apartment building that had a communal garbage chute. People would leave their garbage sitting beside the chute all the time. I was stunned. How lazy can you get? I ended up putting up a sign telling people to throw away their own garbage

Did your sign work?  I don't understand why they did that in the first place.  It's truly baffling. 

[4am coffee]

I don't know if it's generational, or just people not being taught that littering the landscape is not the right thing to do.


I know that it's lazy and irresponsible though.

[txzookeeper]

I saw pictures of all the trash people were just leaving when the government was shut down.  I remember when my kids were young and they couldn't understand why I made them bring their trash until we found a trash can so they could throw it where it belonged.  After they got a little older they understood. There are a lot of parents out there who don't want to parent their children anymore.  They allow them to do what they want.  And unfortunately, a lot of adults seem to feel it's beneath them to clean up after themselves too.  I see it a lot at our local parks.  It's truly sad.